How it Works

What does a NOAA weather buoy 3000 miles away in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean have to do with snow in Utah, Colorado & Wyoming? Good question! Since the dawn of time, humans have been trying to plan their powder days, a futile feat… until now. Is it magic? Is it science? Is it dumb luck? The answer may be yes to all of the above, but more than anything, the Powderbuoy is all about a positive vibration and energy that connects soul riders around the world.

““Yeahbuuuuooooyyyyyy””

- William Jonathan Drayton Jr.

It All Starts With the Buoy

Deep in the North Pacific, a lonely NOAA buoy floats, diligently collecting all sorts of weather data. No friends on a powder day? This lonely buoy may think its only friends are the passing birds who may stop by for a few; little does the buoy know how much happiness and joy it brings to people around the world on powder days.

Weather Prediction

Tracking buoys is nothing new; surfers have followed buoys since Gary Busey was dropping in on Big Wednesday to find out when swells are going to hit specific breaks. The Powderbuoy uses these same NOAA buoys in Hawaii and tracks the same energy that surfers ride in waves in Hawaii to forecast snow that we ride in our mountains. When the buoy pops, two weeks later you’re going to want to clear your calendar.

Plan Your Powder Flu

Don’t let those sick days go to waste, plan your flu and go get you some! That TPS report can wait for another day, you’ve got powder to ski. Yeahbuoy!

Go to the Buoy Dashboard

From the Blog

Powderbuoy Pilsner

Proceeds from Powderbuoy Pilsner sales go to the Utah Avalanche Center (Provided by Park City [...]

10
Nov
What is a Buoypop 101

In 2004 a friend of mine who lived part of the year in Hawaii and [...]

25
Oct
How do I interpret the plume data (Blue line graph)?

The Atmospheric Sciences Department at the University of Utah is one of the best, if [...]

25
Oct
View All Posts

From Instagram

Hey now! Looking a little more promising than originally thought for this weekend. I’d guess in the 14-20” total range for this one. Last weekend’s avalanche flush out was a good thing, get those demons out. #yeahbuoy

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Dec 7

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Hey now! Looking a little more promising than originally thought for this weekend. I’d guess in the 14-20” total range for this one. Last weekend’s avalanche flush out was a good thing, get those demons out. #yeahbuoy

Hey now! Looking a little more promising than originally thought for this weekend. I’d guess in the 14-20” total range for this one. Last weekend’s avalanche flush out was a good thing, get those demons out. #yeahbuoy ...

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So far tracking the 2016-17 season, let’s see if she goes. At 111% of normal water for the season after this last storm. Stoke & Froth is the name of the game, hope and wait & see is the other 1/2 of the operation. #yeahbuoy

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Dec 6

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So far tracking the 2016-17 season, let’s see if she goes. At 111% of normal water for the season after this last storm. Stoke & Froth is the name of the game, hope and wait & see is the other 1/2 of the operation. #yeahbuoy

So far tracking the 2016-17 season, let’s see if she goes. At 111% of normal water for the season after this last storm. Stoke & Froth is the name of the game, hope and wait & see is the other 1/2 of the operation. #yeahbuoy ...

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Pop! Well sorry of a pop, more of a bump I guess, but hey, it’s enough to get the 17/18th on the radar, next storm looks on track for the 8th. Looking like there may be another little buoypop on the 8th then 13th which drops some snow around the 20th and after Christmas on the 27th. We’ll see… can’t believe it’s almost the end of 2023. #yeahbuoy

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Dec 6

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Pop! Well sorry of a pop, more of a bump I guess, but hey, it’s enough to get the 17/18th on the radar, next storm looks on track for the 8th. Looking like there may be another little buoypop on the 8th then 13th which drops some snow around the 20th and after Christmas on the 27th. We’ll see… can’t believe it’s almost the end of 2023. #yeahbuoy

Pop! Well sorry of a pop, more of a bump I guess, but hey, it’s enough to get the 17/18th on the radar, next storm looks on track for the 8th. Looking like there may be another little buoypop on the 8th then 13th which drops some snow around the 20th and after Christmas on the 27th. We’ll see… can’t believe it’s almost the end of 2023. #yeahbuoy ...

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There has been a lot of training and crunching going on behind the scenes at Powderbuoy headquarters. We got number crunching, treat crunching. First snow lab report of the season, coming in strong up at Alta with lab deep conditions. Thanks for the solid report. Raven. #Yeahbuoy #whosagooddoghie

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Dec 2

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There has been a lot of training and crunching going on behind the scenes at Powderbuoy headquarters. We got number crunching, treat crunching. First snow lab report of the season, coming in strong up at Alta with lab deep conditions. Thanks for the solid report. Raven. #Yeahbuoy #whosagooddoghie

There has been a lot of training and crunching going on behind the scenes at Powderbuoy headquarters. We got number crunching, treat crunching. First snow lab report of the season, coming in strong up at Alta with lab deep conditions. Thanks for the solid report. Raven. #Yeahbuoy #whosagooddoghie ...

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Supersize it, I think our storm totals through the weekend are going to be bigger than I posted the other day, with that please don’t forget what’s under all this new snow in the backcountry. You can see the beginnings of the storm on the 8th peeping behind the plumes here too btw. #knowbeforeyougo #yeahbuoy

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Dec 1

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Supersize it, I think our storm totals through the weekend are going to be bigger than I posted the other day, with that please don’t forget what’s under all this new snow in the backcountry. You can see the beginnings of the storm on the 8th peeping behind the plumes here too btw. #knowbeforeyougo #yeahbuoy

Supersize it, I think our storm totals through the weekend are going to be bigger than I posted the other day, with that please don’t forget what’s under all this new snow in the backcountry. You can see the beginnings of the storm on the 8th peeping behind the plumes here too btw. #knowbeforeyougo #yeahbuoy ...

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Upgrade! First pass is more to the south on the 29th, missed, but Dec 1 shot is right on the money and getting bigger by the moment. Anywhere between 3” to 80” through the weekend and should have another right behind. If I were a betting man, which I’m not , I’d be shooting at 3’ in the cottonwoods through the weekend. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 29

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Upgrade! First pass is more to the south on the 29th, missed, but Dec 1 shot is right on the money and getting bigger by the moment. Anywhere between 3” to 80” through the weekend and should have another right behind. If I were a betting man, which I’m not , I’d be shooting at 3’ in the cottonwoods through the weekend. #yeahbuoy

Upgrade! First pass is more to the south on the 29th, missed, but Dec 1 shot is right on the money and getting bigger by the moment. Anywhere between 3” to 80” through the weekend and should have another right behind. If I were a betting man, which I’m not , I’d be shooting at 3’ in the cottonwoods through the weekend. #yeahbuoy ...

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Next storm cycle inbound later this week, some reports shoe a little starting on the 29th, but really the 30th and firing through the beginning of December 🎯and hopefully beyond for a bit. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 27

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Next storm cycle inbound later this week, some reports shoe a little starting on the 29th, but really the 30th and firing through the beginning of December 🎯and hopefully beyond for a bit. #yeahbuoy

Next storm cycle inbound later this week, some reports shoe a little starting on the 29th, but really the 30th and firing through the beginning of December 🎯and hopefully beyond for a bit. #yeahbuoy ...

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White Friday buoypop, December 7th on the calendar, looks like those snow dances, car washes, shots of aquavit are working. Next chance is still looking like the 29th, then into December we go. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 24

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White Friday buoypop, December 7th on the calendar, looks like those snow dances, car washes, shots of aquavit are working. Next chance is still looking like the 29th, then into December we go. #yeahbuoy

White Friday buoypop, December 7th on the calendar, looks like those snow dances, car washes, shots of aquavit are working. Next chance is still looking like the 29th, then into December we go. #yeahbuoy ...

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As we get into a week of gratitude and thankfulness. I am thankful for the snow yesterday, today’s buoypop ( Dec2/3 on the radar), the storm that should be hitting this weekend, and the one for the 28/29th. Time to get this horse out of the stable #yeahbuoy

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Nov 20

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As we get into a week of gratitude and thankfulness. I am thankful for the snow yesterday, today’s buoypop ( Dec2/3 on the radar), the storm that should be hitting this weekend, and the one for the 28/29th. Time to get this horse out of the stable #yeahbuoy

As we get into a week of gratitude and thankfulness. I am thankful for the snow yesterday, today’s buoypop ( Dec2/3 on the radar), the storm that should be hitting this weekend, and the one for the 28/29th. Time to get this horse out of the stable #yeahbuoy ...

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Looking promising for Nov 28th or so, perfect or some birthday snow for this guy. 19th still on the docket as is the weekend after Thanksgiving. Wash the car, pray for snow, throw those racing slicks on. Time for some Ullr dances. I love BC and all, but let’s move that storm track down. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 16

Open
Looking promising for Nov 28th or so, perfect or some birthday snow for this guy. 19th still on the docket as is the weekend after Thanksgiving. Wash the car, pray for snow, throw those racing slicks on. Time for some Ullr dances. I love BC and all, but let’s move that storm track down. #yeahbuoy

Looking promising for Nov 28th or so, perfect or some birthday snow for this guy. 19th still on the docket as is the weekend after Thanksgiving. Wash the car, pray for snow, throw those racing slicks on. Time for some Ullr dances. I love BC and all, but let’s move that storm track down. #yeahbuoy ...

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Looks like some snow coming right on target for the 19th, with a little buoy bounce today for the end of thanksgiving weekend. Storms are still lining up on AK and BC. BC had one of their worst winters in 30-40 years last season, looks like they’re making up ground. As for the Wasatch…well, we can hope that we get a definitive winter switch maybe at the end of November/ beginning of December. There have been plenty of seasons that started out this way and when the switch flipped, it didn’t stop, we’ll see. Not the news that people want, but it is what it is. Control what you can, maybe a trip northward if you’ve got the jones. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 14

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Looks like some snow coming right on target for the 19th, with a little buoy bounce today for the end of thanksgiving weekend. Storms are still lining up on AK and BC. BC had one of their worst winters in 30-40 years last season, looks like they’re making up ground. As for the Wasatch…well, we can hope that we get a definitive winter switch maybe at the end of November/ beginning of December. There have been plenty of seasons that started out this way and when the switch flipped, it didn’t stop, we’ll see. Not the news that people want, but it is what it is. Control what you can, maybe a trip northward if you’ve got the jones. #yeahbuoy

Looks like some snow coming right on target for the 19th, with a little buoy bounce today for the end of thanksgiving weekend. Storms are still lining up on AK and BC. BC had one of their worst winters in 30-40 years last season, looks like they’re making up ground. As for the Wasatch…well, we can hope that we get a definitive winter switch maybe at the end of November/ beginning of December. There have been plenty of seasons that started out this way and when the switch flipped, it didn’t stop, we’ll see. Not the news that people want, but it is what it is. Control what you can, maybe a trip northward if you’ve got the jones. #yeahbuoy ...

1451 24

Some fresh snow on the ground and a buoypop for the 19th, may help get things moving for this year’s season! Lots of storms sliding up north, Alaska is getting hammered.#Yeahbuoy

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Nov 7

Open
Some fresh snow on the ground and a buoypop for the 19th, may help get things moving for this year’s season! Lots of storms sliding up north, Alaska is getting hammered.#Yeahbuoy

Some fresh snow on the ground and a buoypop for the 19th, may help get things moving for this year’s season! Lots of storms sliding up north, Alaska is getting hammered.#Yeahbuoy ...

1124 10

Another storm flying by to the north but dropping some snow on the 7th. Time to drop that storm track down a few clicks and get this party started. #yeahbuoy

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Nov 5

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Another storm flying by to the north but dropping some snow on the 7th. Time to drop that storm track down a few clicks and get this party started. #yeahbuoy

Another storm flying by to the north but dropping some snow on the 7th. Time to drop that storm track down a few clicks and get this party started. #yeahbuoy ...

1161 5

Let’s try this again, Nov 6th on the radar, a few opening days are slated for the 17th so things are starting to matter. Resorts are starting to make snow, and Colorado just got hammered really solidifying the state as the preeminent ski destination. Halloween did not shake out, kind of a bust like the Utah game on Saturday, but in all reality I’m glad for the kids. A lot of prognostication about how much snow we’re going to get this year, I have no idea, but it will be a fun season regardless. It does seem like the storm tracks are trending more north than they were last year, which seems to be more of our standard. #yeahbuoy

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Oct 30

Open
Let’s try this again, Nov 6th on the radar, a few opening days are slated for the 17th so things are starting to matter. Resorts are starting to make snow, and Colorado just got hammered really solidifying the state as the preeminent ski destination. Halloween did not shake out, kind of a bust like the Utah game on Saturday, but in all reality I’m glad for the kids. A lot of prognostication about how much snow we’re going to get this year, I have no idea, but it will be a fun season regardless. It does seem like the storm tracks are trending more north than they were last year, which seems to be more of our standard. #yeahbuoy

Let’s try this again, Nov 6th on the radar, a few opening days are slated for the 17th so things are starting to matter. Resorts are starting to make snow, and Colorado just got hammered really solidifying the state as the preeminent ski destination. Halloween did not shake out, kind of a bust like the Utah game on Saturday, but in all reality I’m glad for the kids. A lot of prognostication about how much snow we’re going to get this year, I have no idea, but it will be a fun season regardless. It does seem like the storm tracks are trending more north than they were last year, which seems to be more of our standard. #yeahbuoy ...

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